Learning English Crucial to Success
The Denver Post
May 27, 2007

Colorado's immigrant population is growing rapidly. So, it's critical that we understand who immigrants are, what they do, what they need, if anything, and how we help them learn American culture. Fortunately, the Migration Policy Institute (www.migrationpolicy.org) provides a wealth of data and policy ideas for us to consider.

According to MPI, the foreign-born population in Colorado grew by 25% between 2000 and 2005 and now represents 10% of our population. Approximately 30% of these immigrants are illegal. Another 31% are U.S. citizens. Three quarters of immigrants' children are U.S. citizens, raising the issue of what's best for families in the immigration debate.

Immigrants comprise 21% of low wage workers. Over 40% of immigrants work in low-skilled jobs, even those with a college education. Businesses across the country are among the strongest proponents of a temporary worker program for just this reason-if they had to hire only U.S. citizens or legal residents, they believe their costs would rise sharply.

Schools feel the greatest impact from immigrants' language barriers. Seventy percent of non-English speaking students attend just 10% of public schools. And, three-quarters of these kids were born in the U.S. Unfortunately, according to MPI, English proficiency classes are not very successful, with only 40% of students improving one level.

In our love/hate relationship with immigrants, we want the cheaper services and products provided by low cost labor, but fear the change to our culture and way of life from having so many immigrants, particularly those who don't speak English, living among us. As the looming presidential election makes the immigration debate even more feverish, it's time to consider some rational options for dealing with the issue.

First, with an estimated 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S., many for decades and with families who are American citizens, it's unrealistic to think we can or should deport them all. Tearing children from the parents who support them is not a solution that is either smart or humane.

Consequently, Congress must have the courage to pass reform legislation that recognizes that reality, no matter how outraged the cries of "amnesty" from opponents seeing political advantage. Republican Senator Charles Hagel has introduced a bill to use a point system to determine which immigrants can earn citizenship. Canada and Australia already use such a system. Points can be based on what the country's current economic needs are as well as such factors as family support and English proficiency. His proposal deserves thoughtful consideration as a path to citizenship.

Second, given the need for more teachers and medical workers, we could help well educated immigrants move from low-wage jobs to professional jobs through training programs and intensive English classes. We already have many foreign-born professionals working as engineers, nurses and university professors. Helping more people enter professional jobs would ease shortages in many fields and help them assimilate into American society more quickly.

Third, learning English is crucial to success in America. We should fund English proficiency classes that really work, whether in public schools, adult education programs or places of work. Nothing will do more to integrate immigrants into American society than learning English. At the same time, they need to learn about and accept our traditional values of freedom, community participation, and education. The value of hard work most of them already have aplenty.

Fourth, because immigration is a big and complicated problem, we should not resort to simplistic solutions that disrupt families and workplaces. Our borders are long and difficult to control. But, we can invest intelligently in border security and focus powerful enforcement measures where they're needed most, on potential terrorists and criminals.

Finally, we should concentrate on integration efforts for the vast majority of hard-working immigrants who see America, as immigrants always have, as their land of opportunity.